-Roxy-

  Life had been difficult after leaving the magic academy. I came to the Asura kingdom to try and find work, but being a demon put me at a distinct disadvantage. As a Migurd, I am short in stature and have blue hair. Everyone immediately knows I'm a demon and even assume I am a child. It was already difficult enough when I was a young adventurer. People would laugh me off, refusing to work with me because of my appearance. It became easier to work alone. I had made some friends while studying, but they all betrayed me at the end, burning the bridges I had forged. Even my graduate professor, Jenius Halphas, had felt a need to condescend to me as I surpassed his research. So, once again, I was alone.

  I wanted to find work as a teacher, but that proved to be near impossible. The one tutor position I found was ruined by false accusations and an uncooperative student. I may have returned to adventuring, but Asura was too peaceful for the profession and I didn't have the savings to leave the country. I hoped the next job working as the teacher of a lord's granddaughter would work out. I didn't want to think about if even that fell through.

  Entering the castle town of Roa, my fears were not assuaged. Despite the crowd of dozens, only I was singled out, no doubt for being a demon. When I inquired about the job, everyone started chattering about my low chances of success. After being underestimated for so long, I was determined to prove them wrong. I'd finish the entire job, despite the seemingly high turnover rate.

  The day I was to meet with the father of my potential student, I had arrived early. And gotten lost. I wandered the estate until I ran across a garden. One of the servant girls seemed to be doing a pretty terrible job of tending the flowers. She rose to face me as I approached. She was caked in dirt, red hair disheveled from the work, and held fistfuls of flowers in her little hands. Did she mistake them for weeds?

  “Excuse me, young lady. I seem to be lost. Do you know the way to the lord's chamber?”

  “Yes!” She yelled at the top of her lungs. That seemed excessive. “Who are you, lady?”

  “I am Roxy Migurdia. Graduate of the Ranoa University of Magic, Saint Tier Water Magician and former adventurer. I'm here to-”

  “Tell me a story!” My introduction was interrupted. It seemed this brat simply had no manners.

  “I suppose I have time, but why should-”

  “I want to hear about your adventures!”

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  I planned to reject her outright. Yet, the look in her stern eyes screamed excitement. Truth be told, it was this first time in a long while that someone took my claims of adventuring seriously. “Very well.” Taking a deep breath, I began.

  “I'm hungry!” After an hour of regaling her with tales from my youth, the girl suddenly chimed in with her desire for food. “I'm leaving!”

  Exhausted from the experience, I turned to leave, before remembering why I had talked to the girl. “Where is the lord's chamber?”

  “Find it yourself!” Without looking back, she merely brushed off my concerns.

  With a deep sigh, I went back to searching the grounds. A small smile crept onto my face. It felt good to have someone excited to hear about my adventures. “I suppose I'll see more of her if I teach here.”

  Once I found a guard, I was guided to the Lord's chamber, which had been just a short distance from the garden. Sitting behind a desk was a man far younger than I expected. Without even offering me a seat, he began the interview.

  “I am Philip Boreas Greyrat, the Lord's proxy and deputy.” The man's eyes were cold. Calculating. As if he had already begun judging me. “So, you wish to teach my daughter?”

  “Yes. I graduated from the Ranoa University of Magic. I am more than qualified to teach magic.”

  “Is that so? And what experience do you have with teaching?”

  He struck a nerve, despite it being a reasonable question. “I have only been hired once before, but the student refused to learn and I was pardoned immediately.”

  “So, you couldn't handle an uncooperative student?”

  “If a student refuses the learn, there's only so much a teacher can do. It is the responsibility of the student to want to learn.”

  “That's quite harsh...” His eyes lost focus. It seemed he'd already made up his mind. “You're not right for the job. Thank you for your time.”

  “That's it? You'd dismiss me so easily? You've barely asked me anything!” In such a short time, the only thing he could have judged was that I'm a demon. “You know nothing about me!”

  With a start, he pushed his chair back, rising to his feet. The way he looked at me showed utter disregard for my frustration. “It's you who knows nothing.”

  I turned, ready to storm out. I should have known. It always ends this way. Once they know I'm a demon, their minds are made up. I reached for the doors-

  When they suddenly flew open. Standing there was the red headed child I met outside. It seemed she'd been cleaned up and fed, and her fiery attitude was in top form. With her little hand, she pointed at me. “I want her!”

  “Huh?”

  “Eris, dear. This isn't the time. Daddy is in a meeting.”

  Steamrolling over his protest, she repeated herself. “I want this lady as my teacher!” Eris folded her arms and set her feet apart, which gave the young girl an imposing aura.

  “Wait, is this girl...” I turned to Philip, who's head was in his hand.

  “This is my daughter, Eris. As you can see, she's a spirited one. There's no way someone like you, with so little patience, could be her teacher.”

  I was done taking insults. “Very well! I will prove you wrong!” I strode over to him, standing tall and proud. “I will be your daughter's teacher.”

  Philip looked annoyed. His decision had been overridden by the student and teacher alike. Yet, after a few seconds, he composed himself. Sitting back down, he looked me in the eyes. “I will give you one month. If she attends a full day of lessons before then, I will accept you as her teacher.”

  “I accept your terms.”